Trash can and closure system

ABSTRACT

A trash can and closure system including a closed circular bottom with a first diameter and an open circular top with a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The container includes a side wall there between and a central axis, the side wall having an upper extent extending downwardly from the top. The container also includes a pair of threads formed in the upper extent with each of the threads having an input point and an output point spaced with respect to each other. The container has a lid having a circular plate and with a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the plate and a lifting handle extending adjacent to the center of the plate. A pair of threads is formed in the side wall of the lid and each of the threads includes an input point and an output point spaced with respect to each and with respect to a horizontal plane extending perpendicularly through the axis. The container including its threads and the lid including its threads being fabricated of generally rigid plastic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a trash can and closure systemand more particularly pertains to ensuring a secure rotational couplingbetween a trash can and its lid.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of trash can of know design and configurations is knownin the prior art. More specifically, trash can of know design andconfigurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose ofsecuring the trash can and its lid are known to consist basically offamiliar, expected, and obvious structural configurations,notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded priorart which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectivesand requirements.

[0005] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,054 to Jaicks discloses astorage container forming a compartment for storage garbage or edibles.U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,114 to Terbrusch discloses a trash can containerwith a tightly secured cover. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,958 toBokmiller discloses a plastic blow molded container and lid combination.

[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particularobjectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describea trash can and closure system that allows ensuring a secure rotationalcoupling between a trash can and its lid through a 90 degree turn.

[0007] In this respect, the trash can and closure system according tothe present invention substantially departs from the conventionalconcepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides anapparatus primarily developed for the purpose of ensuring a securerotational coupling between a trash can and its lid through a 90 degreeturn.

[0008] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuingneed for a new and improved trash can and closure system which can beused for ensuring a secure rotational coupling between a trash can andits lid through a 90 degree turn. In this regard, the present inventionsubstantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of trash can of know design and configurations now present in theprior art, the present invention provides an improved trash can andclosure system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention,which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide anew and improved trash can and closure system which has all theadvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0010] To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a newand improved trash can and closure system for ensuring a securerotational coupling between a trash can and its lid through a 90-degreeturn. The trash can contains a closed horizontal circular bottom with afirst diameter of about 16.5 inches and an open horizontal circular topwith of a second diameter of about 19.5 inches. The second diameter isgreater than the first diameter and includes a generally frusto conicalside wall there between and a central vertical axis. The side wallincludes a generally cylindrical upper extent extending downwardly fromthe top for about 3 inches. The trash can also includes a pair ofdiametrically opposed handles extending outwardly from the side wallslightly beneath the cylindrical portion. A pair of similarly configuredthreads are formed in the cylindrical portion. Each of the threadsextends for about 180 degrees and each includes an input point and anoutput point vertically spaced with respect to each other and the axisby a distance of about two inches. The input point of each thread endspaced immediately above the output end of the other thread and witheach thread. Each thread is angled between about 2.5 degrees and 4.5degrees, preferably 3.6 degrees, with respect to a horizontal planeextending perpendicularly through the axis. Each thread contains agenerally trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with its angledsides disposed one above the other and at an angle between about 15degrees and 21 degrees, preferably about 18 degrees, from the plane. Thetrash can also includes a lid having a horizontal circular plate with agenerally cylindrical side wall extending downwardly from the peripheryof the plate for about 3 inches. A lifting handle is extended upwardlyfrom adjacent to the center of the plate with a center aligned with theaxis. The trash can includes a pair of similarly configured threadsformed in the cylindrical portion. Each of the threads includes extendsfor about 180 degrees and each an input point and an output pointvertically spaced with respect to each other the axis by a distance ofabout two inches. The input point of each thread end spaced immediatelybeneath the output end of the other thread. Each thread is angledbetween about 2.5 degrees and 4.5 degrees, preferably 3.6 degrees withrespect to a horizontal plane extending perpendicularly through theaxis. Each thread includes a generally trapezoidal cross sectionalconfiguration with its angled sides disposed one above the other. Eachthread is angle between about 15 degrees and 21 degrees, preferablyabout 18 degrees, from the plane. The trash can include its threads andthe lid is fabricated of generally rigid plastic selected from the classincluding polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. The trash can includes athickness between about 0.060 inches and 0.100 inches, preferably about0.080 inches, throughout the entire extent.

[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

[0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilizedas a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systemsfor carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew and improved trash can and closure system which has all of theadvantages of the prior art trash can of know design and configurationsand none of the disadvantages.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a newand improved trash can and closure system which may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0016] It is further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved trash can and closure system which is of durable andreliable constructions.

[0017] An even further object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved trash can and closure system which is susceptible of alow cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, andwhich accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to theconsuming public, thereby making such trash can and closure systemeconomically available to the buying public.

[0018] Even still another object of the present invention is to providea trash can and closure system for ensuring a secure rotational couplingbetween a trash can and its lid.

[0019] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aclosure system for ensuring a secure rotational coupling between acontainer and its lid through a turn. The container includes a closedcircular bottom with a first diameter and an open circular top with asecond diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter.The container includes a side wall there between and a central axis, theside wall having an upper extent extending downwardly from the top. Thecontainer also includes a pair of threads formed in the upper extentwith each of the threads having an input point and an output pointspaced with respect to each other. The container has a lid having acircular plate and with a side wall extending downwardly from theperiphery of the plate and a lifting handle extending upwardly adjacentto the center of the plate. A pair of threads is formed in the side wallof the lid and each of the threads includes an input point and an outputpoint spaced with respect to each and with respect to a horizontal planeextending perpendicularly through the axis. The container including itsthreads and the lid including its threads being fabricated of generallyrigid plastic.

[0020] These together with other objects of the invention, along withthe various features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be better understood and objects other thanthose set forth above will become apparent when consideration is givento the following detailed description thereof. Such description makesreference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trash can and closure systemin a close position.

[0023]FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the closure lid.

[0024]FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3-4 of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 4 is top elevational view of the trash can as shown in theprior Figures.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 6 is perspective view of the trash can and closure system inan open position.

[0028] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughoutthe various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved trash can andclosure system embodying the principles and concepts of the presentinvention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will bedescribed.

[0030] The present invention, the trash can and closure system 10 iscomprised of a plurality of components. Such components in theirbroadest context include a container, a pair of threads, a lid, alifting handle, and a pair of handles. Such components are individuallyconfigured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain thedesired objective.

[0031] The trash can and closure system 10 is for ensuring a securerotational coupling between a trash can and its lid through a 90 degreeturn. The trash can 14 is preferably, in the preferred embodiment, astandard 32 gallon container with a height of about 32 inches. Itpreferably includes a closed horizontal circular bottom 16 with a firstdiameter of about 16.5 inches and an open horizontal circular top 18with a second diameter of about 19.5 inches. The second diameter isgreater than the first diameter and includes a generally frusto conicalside wall 20 there between and a central vertical axis. The side wallincludes a generally cylindrical upper extent 22 extending downwardlyfrom the top for about 3 inches.

[0032] The trash can also includes a pair of diametrically opposedhandles 26 extending outwardly from the side wall slightly beneath thecylindrical portion.

[0033] A pair of similarly configured threads 30 are formed in thecylindrical portion. Each of the threads extends for about 180 degreesand each includes an input point 32 and an output point 34 verticallyspaced with respect to each other and the axis by a distance of abouttwo inches. The input point of each thread end is spaced immediatelyabove the output end of the other thread. Each thread is angled betweenabout 2.5 degrees and 4.5 degrees, preferably 3.6 degrees, with respectto a horizontal plane extending perpendicularly through the axis. Eachthread contains a generally trapezoidal cross sectional configurationwith its angled sides 36, 38 disposed one above the other and at anangle between about 15 degrees and 21 degrees, preferably about 18degrees, from the plane. Each thread of the trash can is preferablyabout 1 inch deep and about 21 inch in height at its largest extent.

[0034] The trash can also includes a lid 42 having a horizontal circularplate 44 with a generally cylindrical side wall 46 extending downwardlyfrom the periphery of the plate for about 3 inches. Each thread of thelid is preferably about 1 inch deep and about 1 inch in height at itslargest extent.

[0035] A lifting handle 50 extends upwardly from adjacent to the centerof the plate with a center aligned with the axis.

[0036] The lid of the system also includes a pair of similarlyconfigured threads 54 formed in the cylindrical portion. Each of thethreads extends about 180 degrees and each includes an input point 56and an output point 58 vertically spaced with respect to each other theaxis by a distance of about two inches. The input point of each threadend spaced immediately beneath the output end of the other thread. Eachthread is angled between about 2.5 degrees and 4.5 degrees, preferably3.6 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane extending perpendicularlythrough the axis. Each thread includes a generally trapezoidal crosssectional configuration with its angled sides disposed one above theother. Each thread is angle between about 15 degrees and 21 degrees,preferably about 18 degrees, from the plane. The trash can including itsthreads and the lid is fabricated of generally rigid plastic selectedfrom the class including polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. The trashcan includes a thickness between about 0.060 inches and 0.100 inches,preferably about 0.080 inches, throughout the entire extent.

[0037] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, nofurther discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will beprovided.

[0038] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by letterspatent of the United States is as follows:
 1. A new and improved trashcan and closure system for ensuring a secure rotational coupling betweena trash can and its lid through a 90 degree turn comprising, incombination: a trash can having a closed horizontal circular bottom witha first diameter of about 16.6 inches and an open horizontal circulartop with of a second diameter of about 19.5 inches and greater than thefirst diameter and with a generally frusto conical side wall therebetween and a central vertical axis, the side wall having a generallycylindrical upper extent extending downwardly from the top for about 3inches; a pair of diametrically opposed handles extending outwardly fromthe side wall slightly beneath the cylindrical portion; a pair ofsimilarly configured threads formed in the cylindrical portion with eachof the threads extending for about 180 degrees and each having an inputpoint and an output point vertically spaced with respect to each otherand the axis by a distance of about two inches with the input point ofeach thread end spaced immediately above the output end of the otherthread and with each thread angled between about 2.5 degrees and 4.5degrees, preferably 3.6 degrees, with respect to a horizontal planeextending perpendicularly through the axis, each thread having agenerally trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with its angledsides disposed one above the other and at an angle between about 15degrees and 21 degrees, preferably about 18 degrees, from the plane,each thread of the trash can is preferably about 1 inch deep and about 1inch in height at its largest extent; a lid having a horizontal circularplate and with a generally cylindrical side wall extending downwardlyfrom the periphery of the plate for about 3 inches, each thread of thelid is preferably about 1 inch deep and about 1 inch in height at itslargest extent; a lifting handle extending upwardly from adjacent to thecenter of the plate with a center aligned with the axis; a pair ofsimilarly configured threads extending for about 180 degrees and eachformed in the cylindrical portion with each of the threads having aninput point and an output point vertically spaced with respect to eachother and the axis by a distance of about two inches with the inputpoint of each thread end spaced immediately beneath the output end ofthe other thread and with each thread angled between about 2.5 degreesand 4.5 degrees, preferably 3.6 degrees, with respect to a horizontalplane extending perpendicularly through the axis, each thread having agenerally trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with its angledsides disposed one above the other and at angle between about 15 degreesand 21 degrees, preferably about 18 degrees, from the plane, the trashcan including its threads and the lid including its threads beingfabricated of generally rigid plastic selected from the class ofgenerally plastic rigid plastics including polyvinyl chloride, andpolyethylene with a common thickness between about 0.060 inches and0.100 inches, preferably about 0.080 inches, throughout the entireextent.
 2. A new and improved closure system for ensuring a securerotational coupling between a container and its lid through a turncomprising: a container having a closed circular bottom with a firstdiameter and an open circular top with a second diameter greater thanthe first diameter and with a side wall there between and a centralaxis, the side wall having an upper extent extending downwardly from thetop; a pair of threads formed in the upper extent with each of thethreads having an input point and an output point spaced with respect toeach other; a lid having a circular plate and with a side wall extendingdownwardly from the periphery of the plate; a lifting handle extendingupwardly adjacent to the center of the plate; a pair threads formed inthe side wall of the lid with each of the threads having an input pointand an output point spaced with respect to each, and with respect to ahorizontal plane extending perpendicularly through the axis, thecontainer including its threads and the lid including its threads beingfabricated of generally rigid plastic.
 3. A new and improved closuresystem of claim 2 wherein the rigid plastic is selected from the classof generally plastic rigid plastics including polyvinyl chloride, andpolyethylene with a common thickness between about 0.010 inches and0.100 inches, preferably about 0.080 inches, throughout the entireextent.
 4. A new and improved closure system of claim 2 wherein eachthread comprises a generally trapezoidal cross sectional configurationwith its angled sides disposed one above the other and at an anglebetween about 15 degrees and 21 degrees, preferably about 18 degrees,from the plane.
 5. A new and improved closure system of claim 2 whereinthe input point of each thread end of the container is spacedimmediately above the output end of the other thread and with eachthread angled with respect to a horizontal plane extendingperpendicularly through the axis.
 6. A new and improved closure systemof claim 2 wherein the first diameter is about 16.5 inches and thesecond diameter is about 19.5 inches.
 7. A new and improved closuresystem of claim 2 wherein the upper extent of the container extendsdownwardly from the top for about 3 inches.
 8. A new and improvedclosure system of claim 2 wherein the side wall of the lid extendsdownwardly from the periphery for about 3 inches.